Garrett quits as Rudd returns

Rockstar turned politician Peter Garrett is to retire from politics and has joined fellow Julia Gillard supporters Greg Combet and Craig Emerson in quitting the ministry.

Mr Garrett will leave politics at the upcoming federal election.

"Now that Kevin Rudd has been elected Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party, I am resigning my position as Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth and will not recontest the upcoming election as Member for Kingsford Smith," he said in a statement.

Mr Garrett said he had always acted in the best interests of the Labor Party and the government.

"I was a frontman who chose to be a team player and make a difference in politics. I do not, for one moment, regret that choice," said the former lead singer of Midnight Oil.

Mr Garrett said he had been privileged to serve as a loyal cabinet minister for nearly six years, participating in a number of crucial reforms that only a Labor government could achieve.

He said he was especially proud of Labor's significant education reforms.